When Accutane and Seed Cycling Don’t Work: The Missing Piece in Your Acne Journey
If you’ve struggled with acne, you’ve probably felt the frustration of trying everything—from strong prescriptions like Accutane to natural hormone-balancing methods like seed cycling—only to end up back at square one. I’ve been there too. And I see it all the time with my clients.
Here’s the truth: Both conventional and holistic acne treatments can fail when they don’t address the actual root cause of acne. So let’s break it down and talk about why Accutane and seed cycling might not be the magic fix they’re made out to be—and what actually works for long-term clear skin.
The Conventional Route: Accutane and Its Hidden Costs
Accutane (isotretinoin) is often prescribed for acne. It works by shrinking sebaceous glands, which reduces oil production. Sounds good in theory, but oily skin isn’t a root cause of acne, it is co-factor. And what happens when your skin is too dry? What about the long-term effects on your body?
The Reality of Accutane:
It’s not always a permanent fix. Studies show that about 20-30% of people need a second or even third round of Accutane, and up to 65% experience acne relapses after stopping the medication.
It dries up synovial fluid. This can lead to chronic joint pain and stiffness—something many women don’t realize until they’re dealing with it firsthand.
It disrupts gut health. Accutane alters the gut microbiome, increasing the risk of IBS and other digestive issues.
Dryness and hair loss. Many users experience dry eyes, peeling skin, cracked lips, and long-term moisture barrier damage. It can also cause hair loss due to its mechanism of reducing oil production, which can lead to dry, brittle hair and scalp, and it may also disrupt the hair growth cycle, potentially causing telogen effluvium (premature shedding).
It impacts mental health. Accutane has been linked to depression and anxiety in some users, with many reporting mood swings and emotional distress.
I’m not saying Accutane doesn’t work for anyone—but there are short and long term health risks to consider due to its impact on the liver. if acne keeps coming back after Accutane, it’s a sign the root cause wasn’t addressed in the first place.
The Natural Route: Why Seed Cycling Isn’t the Ultimate Fix
On the other end of the spectrum, you have seed cycling, a trendy natural approach that aims to help balance hormones through specific seed consumption. The idea is that eating certain seeds during different phases of your menstrual cycle can support estrogen and progesterone levels.
How Seed Cycling Works:
Follicular Phase (Days 1-14): Flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds for estrogen support.
Luteal Phase (Days 15-28): Sunflower and sesame seeds for progesterone support.
A common misconception is that hormones cause acne. Hormones seem like a likely culprit because acne tends to worsen during puberty and for many women during certain times in the menstrual cycle. Some women, who may not have even suffered from acne as a teenager, may begin to struggle with acne later in life around their menstruation each month.
During a woman's menstrual cycle, 80% of the immune system is redirected towards assisting the reproductive system. That means that only 20% of the immune system is left to support any other health issues your body may be working to heal. As a result, if you normally suffer from acne, migraine headaches, eczema, fatigue, aches and pains, brain fog, depression, joint pain, or any other symptom or condition during your cycle, it may reappear or worsen
I personally had a phase where I went all in on seed cycling, obsessively grinding and rotating my seeds, hoping this was the missing piece to clear my acne. I see my clients do or have done the same, convinced that their skin would transform just by eating the “right” seeds. But seed cycling alone is a band-aid approach that doesn’t address the deeper imbalances that are fueling hormonal imbalances or acne.
The True Root Cause:
“When acne is present, it means that the liver is harboring a chronic, low-grade level of Streptococcus. Strep lives in the organ when the liver holds an abundance of food for it. The lymphatic system is the favorite path for strep to enter the subcutaneous tissue beneath the skin’s surface, which happens to be a refuge for poisons and excess fat cells strep can feast on—just as they accumulate in the liver, they accumulate here. This trigger’s the skins immune system to produce more oil in attempt to trap bacteria. What determines a mild versus aggravating versus extreme case of acne includes how many strains of strep you have, how many toxins such as heavy metals are present in the liver and subcutaneous tissue for strep to feed on, how many antibiotics you have used or otherwise ingested over a lifetime, what happened before your lifetime that you inherited, what kind of adrenaline (stress) surges you experience in daily life, pesticide exposure, and what your diet’s like”. — Anthony William.
This is why both conventional and natural remedies can fail. They isolate one part of the problem (oil production, or hormones) instead of looking at the body as a whole and WHAT is causing excessive oil production or imbalanced hormones in the first place.
A Holistic Acne-Healing Framework
True holistic skincare acknowledges that the body functions as a whole instead of isolating certain issues. Achieving skin clarity comes from balancing the body’s key systems:
Immune System – A strong immune system is a key factor for healthy skin, hair, and nails. The immune system will help combat acne causing bacteria.
Adrenal System – Stress and cortisol dysregulation weaken the skin barrier, while toxic adrenaline may hinder the liver, weaken the immune system and disrupt digestion. The adrenals are responsible for many of the body’s hormones and functions — not just the stress hormones. Which means adrenal imbalance can be linked to hormonal issues.
Lymphatic System – The lymphatic system removes waste and toxins, but without proper flow, congestion leads to inflammation and breakouts.
Gut Health – It’s not just about what you eat; it’s about how well you eliminate waste, absorb nutrients, and prevent bacteria overgrowth. Poor gut health can be linked to systemic inflammation and acne.
Liver Function – The liver processes excess hormones and toxins. If it's sluggish, these toxins get reabsorbed into the bloodstream, contributing to acne and overall skin congestion.
Strengthening the Skin Barrier: Simple Acne Skincare
A holistic approach to acne is inside and out. Beyond internal healing, your skin barrier needs to be resilient. A weak barrier allows bacteria and irritants to penetrate, leading to breakouts, dryness, and redness. That’s why the right skincare is just as important as internal healing. An acne skincare routine should always start off simple, focusing on hydration, inflammation, and barrier health.
A Simple Acne-Safe Routine to Rebuild Barrier Health:
Vetiver Illuminating Oil Cleanser– Cleanses deeply without stripping natural barrier function. Emulsifies with water transforming from oil to milk for easy removal without leaving behind residue.
Calm Retinal Serum – A gentle, yet potent form of vitamin A to help cell turnover and improve texture. Calm also contains wild cherry bark to help redness and inflammation.
SIV Biome Balancing Serum – Balances the skin’s microbiome to strengthen its immune system and barrier.
Niacinamide Water Cream – Hydrates without clogging pores, niacinamide targets texture, redness, and oil control.
The Takeaway
If Accutane and seed cycling didn’t work for you, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. The problem isn’t you, it’s the outdated approach to acne that only looks at the surface-level issues. By addressing the true root causes—bacterial overgrowth, immune function, stress, gut health, and barrier strength—you can finally achieve the clear skin you’ve been chasing for years.
If you are looking for extra support alongside your acne journey, Book your 1:1 holistic skin consult today!
The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only, to include blog postings and any linked material. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional health or medical advice or treatment, nor should it be relied upon for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any health consideration. Consult with a licensed health care practitioner before altering or discontinuing any medications, treatment or care, or starting any diet, skincare, exercise or supplementation program. The content of this blog and any linked material does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Mindful Beauty facesbykatey and is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.
